Mars Middle School will turn 50 years old in 2019, having undergone renovations twice in its life span.

As education has changed, so have the needs of educators and students, making the 50-year-old building off Three Degree Road less accommodating. To address that issue, board members on Tuesday voted to instruct district administrators to explore a major renovation plan that would break ground in 2019.

According to Dayle Ferguson, board president, a facility study completed in 2015 indicated the school was in need of many repairs and upgrades.

Earlier this month the board was presented two options by Thomas & Williamson: Program Management for how to best pursue that work.

This week, the board unanimously voted to direct Superintendent Wes Shipley to seek a design keeping the overall costs at $15 million to $18 million and being bid in January 2019. Ferguson said the gymnasium addition could be sought later at the board’s discretion.